In 2008, 14 MW of new wind generation was installed for a total of 995 MW. The 162 wind parks with 618 wind turbines generated 2.1 TWh of electricity, enough to power 570,000 households. This generation avoided 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 for the year.
Surveys and assessments show a potential of 7.2 to 7.3 TWh of renewable energy by 2020. This would comply with 10% of the total energy expenditure. In strong contrast to this great potential, the construction of new wind turbines in Austria came more or less to a standstill in 2008. An amendment to the green electricity law worsened the framework conditions significantly. Recently new planning has been agreed. Now, also because of the financial crisis, planning of Austrian Projects is gaining attention, even though they can only be realized when the green electricity law, especially the funding guidelines are improved.
